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Where have all the good sci-fi films gone (vanity)?
Yours truly

Posted on 02/19/2008 11:03:14 AM PST by rjp2005

Where have all the sci-fi films gone?

Those simple, thought-provoking speculative tales about how people respond to something new, what kind of moral choices they make, keeping traditions in the face of technological change. Essentially, the kind of films that were thought provoking and story/character driven - Day the Earth Stood Still, Planet of Apes, 12 Monkeys, Minority Report (more action though but good), etc.

The "Superhero and Fantasy Genre Craze" since Spiderman and LOTR has really eaten up a lot of support for original sci-fi works to film...

For 2008, we have two horror/slasher types "I Am Legend" (Omega Man remake) and "Death Race" (revisiting the 70's version), another superhero film in "Jumper", "Iron Man", which could be a treat, and maybe the only true sci-fi attempt, "Babylon A.D.". There was also "Sunshine", a late 90's disaster film leftover, possibly funded by Global Warming-mongers ;)


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: sciencefiction; scifi; sfreference
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To: reg45

GATEWAY

Woo Hoo, would I ever like to see that done well!

I’ve read the whole series, and I met Mr Pohl a few years back, he plans to write more (he was working on his eternity series at the time).


421 posted on 02/24/2008 9:22:36 PM PST by DBrow
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To: rjp2005

I’ve watched a lot of sci-fi over the years, but these are some of my favorites, in not particular order.

Films:
Star Wars
Matrix
Fifth Element
Serenity
X-Men 1 and 2
Matrix

TV shows:
Firefly
Doctor Who
Stargate SG-1
Torchwood
Star Trek
Angel
Buffy
Heroes
Lost

I also just discovered a British TV show called Primeval (it’s sort of like Torchwood with dinosaurs instead of aliens, and no gay people) and I really like it, but the problem is I can’t find on TV or DVD in America, or in a format that would play on American DVD players and TV’s.


422 posted on 02/24/2008 9:58:33 PM PST by Hyzenthlay (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: Quix

I don’t know - there just doesn’t seem to be any backing/market for thoughtful sci-fi films, where the story and themes awe you instead of the SFX. Not many risks are being taken.

Children of Men had the most original and thought provoking premise to a scifi story in years.


423 posted on 02/25/2008 8:11:36 AM PST by rjp2005 (Lord have mercy on us)
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To: rjp2005

Haven’t seen that one.

Is it out on DVD yet?

Thx.


424 posted on 02/25/2008 8:46:08 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Go_Raiders
Love “Mote in God’s Eye”

Have not read this whole thread but have not seen Jack Vance’s “Dragon Masters” mentioned. It’s a bit more Scifi than the title suggest’s and could be made into a good movie with todays special effects. Also has a set of characters that Hollywood would love to cast.

425 posted on 02/25/2008 8:56:48 AM PST by nomorelurker (keep flogging them till morale improves)
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To: rjp2005

Well, there have been films like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that have been simple, thought-provoking tales of speculation.

And while more of a fantasy, I found Stranger Than Fiction to be somewhat Dickian in its approach to the question of “what is real?/What is fiction?”


426 posted on 02/25/2008 10:15:18 AM PST by Duke Nukum (I know writers who use subtext and they're all cowards.)
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To: Duke Nukum

Yeah I would put Truman Show in that category - original in scope forces you question things during the film.


427 posted on 02/25/2008 10:17:12 AM PST by rjp2005 (Lord have mercy on us)
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To: rjp2005

Later on I remembered The Fountain which was one of my favorite movies from last year.


428 posted on 02/25/2008 11:39:25 AM PST by Duke Nukum (I know writers who use subtext and they're all cowards.)
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To: KevinDavis

Season 4 comes out in May and Seasons 1-3 are already out. Start renting.


429 posted on 02/25/2008 6:52:21 PM PST by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: marajade; All

Will do...


430 posted on 02/25/2008 6:53:36 PM PST by KevinDavis (I will support John McCain..)
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To: KevinDavis

I think the show was a victim of the writer’s strike, unfortunately.


431 posted on 02/25/2008 7:03:05 PM PST by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: AppyPappy
I was hoping for a remake of “THEM”

Just watch congress

432 posted on 02/25/2008 7:05:42 PM PST by Gone_Postal (We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat)
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To: marajade; All

It could also be that the USA Network is going into a different direction...


433 posted on 02/25/2008 7:24:33 PM PST by KevinDavis (I will support John McCain..)
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To: rjp2005; All

The oldish movie

UFOS—IT HAS BEGUN

A Rod Serling intro’d movie . . . available here;

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8513138217495837643&hl=en


434 posted on 02/25/2008 9:13:05 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: null and void

Harry Potter is bland, predictable, over-hyped crap.


435 posted on 02/27/2008 9:43:50 PM PST by Stimpson_J_Cat
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To: rjp2005
Here’s an idea - what would a “FreeRepublic Films Sci-Fi Movie” be about?

'Earth vs The Hildabeast' comes to mind...

436 posted on 02/28/2008 7:01:49 AM PST by null and void (When you vote, remember your wallet, the welfare recipients do...)
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To: Hyzenthlay

‘Primeval’ Jumps Pond to BBC America

By Jon Lafayette

BBC America acquired a show it describes as “Jurassic Park” meets “Doctor Who.”

The series, “Primeval,” a hit in the U.K., will start airing on the cable channel in August [2008]. BBC America has acquired two seasons of the series, the first with six one-hour episodes, the second with seven episodes.


437 posted on 02/28/2008 7:06:49 AM PST by null and void (When you vote, remember your wallet, the welfare recipients do...)
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To: Stimpson_J_Cat; retrokitten
*shrug* I like it. I don’t require that you or anyone else does.

BTW, have you actually read any of the books in the series? The writing style markedly improves as the series continues. It isn’t Great Literature, but it does entertain.

438 posted on 02/28/2008 7:13:30 AM PST by null and void (When you vote, remember your wallet, the welfare recipients do...)
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To: null and void

Yay! The best part is, I’ll probably be getting BBC America by then =D

My day just got SO much better...


439 posted on 02/28/2008 8:53:46 AM PST by Hyzenthlay (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: Hyzenthlay

My pleasure, ma’am...


440 posted on 02/28/2008 8:57:21 AM PST by null and void (When you vote, remember your wallet, the welfare recipients do...)
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